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What better way to spend an early summer’s evening than to attend a short song recital in All Saints, Laughton, given by rising international mezzo, Beth Taylor, recent finalist of the Cardiff Singer of the World, currently performing in Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne?

Beth had endeared herself to local residents by attending two early rehearsals of the Laughton Village Choir. As a consequence, many members of the choir turned out to support her, boosting an already ample audience, the box-office from which was in aid of the Fabric Fund of the sister church at Ripe (whose ceiling is in a dire state), under the auspices of the Villages Music Festival.

Beth performed with her regular duo partner, pianist Hamish Brown. All the songs related in some way to the sea, spanning early, mid and late romantics through to early C20th, book-ended with Hamilton Harty with three pieces each from Schubert, Debussy, Rossini, Honegger, Brahms, ending with Elgar’s Sea Pictures. Beth’s deep, rich mezzo is mellifluous and strong. Not only can she sing, but she can also perform. She meant every word, and delighted us all.